Discovering Electricity & Magnetism
*This course is intended for upper elementary students
Class Schedule
Mondays 5:00 - 5:50 pm PST
March 31, April 7, (no class April 14), April 21, April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26
OR
Wednesdays 9:00- 9:50 am PST
April 2, April 9, (no class April 16), April 23, April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21, May 28
Note: Classes are listed in PST, click below to convert time to your time zone.
Course Overview
In this course, we will journey through the remarkable discoveries that revealed the deep connection between electricity and magnetism. Students will begin by recreating the ancient observations of static electricity with amber and lodestone and Chinese magnetic compasses, following the same path of curiosity that led early scientists to investigate these mysterious forces.
We'll trace the development of these ideas through history, seeing how each discovery built upon previous knowledge, from Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment to Volta’s first battery to James Clerk Maxwell's mathematical unification of electricity and magnetism. We'll see how their gradual understanding of electromagnetic forces revolutionized human society, from the invention of the telegraph to the development of electric lighting, radio waves, and the modern electrical grid. The course brings to life the human story behind these scientific advances, showing how careful observation, creative thinking, and persistent experimentation unveiled one of nature's fundamental forces.
Note: This course is intended for students ages 11-13.
Student Outcomes:
- Analyze key historical experiments that shaped our understanding of electricity and magnetism
- Explain fundamental electromagnetic properties and their real-world applications
- Evaluate how scientific models evolve as scientists build upon previous discoveries
Student Experience
Inventor
Pattern Seeker
Researcher
Scientist
Your Teacher: Rachel Dragos
Rachel has nearly a decade experience in STEM education in independent, public, and international schools, including The Nueva School, John Hopkins CTY, The Loomis Chaffee School, and The Bryn Mawr School. She received her Master’s in Physics with a Teaching Emphasis from University Texas A&M Commerce.
A truly interdisciplinary thinker, Rachel was a double major in chemistry and English at Kenyon College. Her mission is to unveil the wonder of chemistry and physics, transforming these subjects from intimidating to inspiring for every student who enters her classroom.
